Speed repairs Toshack era

WOLVES midfielder David Edwards feels the Wales camp under former Sheffield United boss Gary Speed is more confident than the one during John Toshack’s reign.

The 25-year-old has returned from seven months out with a back problem and his call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers (v Switzerland and Bulgaria) gives him the chance to feature for the first time under Speed. The atmosphere in the camp is a far cry from spells of Toshack’s tenure, when senior players voiced their displeasure at the manager’s methods.

There were encouraging signs that Wales are moving in the right direction under Speed as they beat Montenegro before suffering a narrow defeat to England. Edwards says: “There’s a real air of confidence among the boys and there is a buzz around the place over what they achieved in the last two qualifiers. A lot of the work they have been doing behind the scenes came to fruition in those games. Against England there was a good performance, and it was an excellent win over Montenegro. We want to follow that up. It’s very different in camp, the manager’s ideas are different to the previous manager and the boys are enjoying themselves.”